Folding and extensible ladder



Jan. 8, 1935. c MORRIS 1,987,535

FOLDING AND EXTENSIBLE LADDER Filed Aug 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R 1 7 Fa -2 Ck arles I a ward H 017-2 '5,

Jan. 8, 1935., c. E. MORRIS FOLDING AND EXTENSIBLE LADDER Filed Aug. 14, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \g I I I I I I I F I 5 I L mrzas Edward M minimum amount of space for storage and for convenience in transportation, and that may be arranged with the sections of the ladder at angles to one another to provide a stepladder or a support for a scaffold, and may also be extended with the sections of the ladder in alinement.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved means of locking the sections of the ladder either vin angularly related positions or in extended relation.

A further object of the invention is the provision of means whereby the ladder when in extended position may be handled without disjointing from the upper section, this feature being particularly useful in use of the ladder by roofers and the like.

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter and will be found illustrated in the accomp'anying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of the improved ladder showing it in extended position,

Figure 2 is an edge view of the ladder in the position'shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an edge view of the ladder showing the two sections arranged angularly to one another for use as a stepladder or a support for scaffolding boards,

Figure 4 is a view in elevation showing the ladder in folded position,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

' Figure 6 is a detail of the joint between corresponding stiles on the two sections of the ladder, the view being taken substantially on a plane indicated by the line 6--6 of Figure 1,

Figure '7 is a longitudinal sectional view on a plane indicated by the line 7-7 of Figure 6,

. Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view on a plane indicated by the line 8-8 of Figure 6,

Figure 9 is a detail of the parts shown in Figure 6 arranged in the position shown in Figure 3, and

Figures 10 and 11 are detail views of the reinforcing members mounted on the stiles of the two sections.

In the drawings similar reference characters are used to designate corresponding parts in all the views.

The ladder comprises two sections designated 15 and 16 respectively, the section 16 being arranged so that it is mounted between the stiles of the'sec'ti'on'l5 'asbest shown'in Figures l an 4, so that when folded as shown in Figure 4 it is compact for convenience in transportation and storage. 'Ihe stiles of the sections 15 and 16 are pivotally and slidably connected by means of a rod 17 secured to the stiles of section 15 and engaging in an elongated slot 18 in the adjacent end of the stile of the section 16. For stability and also to prevent wear, the adjacent ends of the stiles of the sections 15 and 16 are reinforced by members 19 and 20, respectively, the member 19 having an integral tubular projection 21 to receive the rod 17, and to reinforce the openings in the stiles of the section 15 to receive said rod. The reinforcing member 20 is also provided with an integral elongated reinforcement for the slot 18, as shown at 22. In constructing the ladder the respective stiles of the sections are provided with the openings to receive the rod 1'7 on the part 15, and the elongated slot on the section 16, and the reinforcing member issecured so that marginal flanges 19 and 20 on the reinforcing members respectively fit on the outer sides and over the endsof the stiles, and the members 21 and 22 reinforce the opening for the rod 17 and the walls of the slot 18 on the respective sections, and the reinforcing members are secured to the stiles by means of driven fastenings as shown at 23.

Reinforcing members 19 are provided with laterally extending bills or hooks 24, and reinforcing members 20 are provided with outstanding lugs or projections that are engageable by said bills or hooks when the ladder sections are angularly arranged as shown in Figure 3 to hold the parts in angular relationship. To also assist in this arrangement of the ladder sections, the slots 18 in the stiles of the sections 16 are ofifset as shown at 22 to receive the rod 17 when the sections are in angular position as shown, and the outstanding lugs 25 have beveled faces 25 that are engaged by the bills or hooks 24.

When the sections of the ladder are in extended position as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 6, the lugs 25 by engaging the upper rung 26 on section 15 cooperates with the rod 1'7 engaging in the slots 18 to hold thesections in rigidly related position. 1

The ladder is also adapted for use by roofers, etc., and as in many instances it is necessary that the ladder be moved by grasping the upper section of the ladder, and to prevent disjointing of the ladder by so doing, I provide the inner sides of the stiles of section 16 with hook members 2'7, pivoted as shown at 28 to the stiles, and held by gravity in the position shown in Figure.

6 so that the hooks are in position to engage the rod 17 and prevent disjointing of the ladder sections.

What is claimed is:

1. In a ladder, interfitting sections, means pivotally and slidably connecting corresponding ends of said sections together, one of said sections having an outstanding lug thereon extending in the direction of rungs on said section, said lug being engageable with a rung on the other section when the sections are in extended positions, and said other section havinga bill extending-transverse1y of rungs on said section and engaging said lug when the sections are angularly arranged.

2. A ladder, comprisinginterfitting sections,

one of said sections having angular slots in its stiles, a bar connecting the -stiles of the other section and engaging in said slots, the inner of said interfitting sections having anoutstandinglug thereon, said lug extending therefrom in the direction of rungs on said section, the outer of said sections having a bill on one end extending transversely of rungs on said section, said bill engaging said lug when the sections are angularly arranged, and said outer section having a rung positioned to engage said lug when the sections are in extended positions.

3. Afladder as in claim 2, and including 'a hook member-pivotally mounted on the inner section and engageable with said bar with the sections in extended positions.

4. A ladder, comprising first and second sections, the stiles of the first section having elongated slots, a baron the second section engaging'in said slots, means on the second section co- CHARLES E. 

